The Bear Shed
Wines From The Bottom Shelf
We've all got used to drinking wine from the middle or even the top shelf of the supermarket especially on special occasions. However, our trends started way back when these wines were priced at around that of the bottles on the bottom shelf in today's market. Maddeningly today many of us do not have the same amount of disposable income that we had back when our love of wines blossomed. Just because we've become accustomed to drinking from the middle shelf doesn't mean that we have to go without if the pennies are dwindling. There is always the bottom shelf and who knows, down there might just be a bargain waiting to be discover. I love a bargain and so I've decided to plunder the bottom shelves of the supermarkets to see if there is anything that stands out that's worth quaffing.
Disclaimer
Just to be clear, all comments are of my own personal taste and opinion and have no bearing on taste, flavour, quality or affordability of the selected wines below. Please read the manufacturers description on the bottle before purchasing for their direction as to taste, flavour, grape and alcoholic content etc.
NDTT = Next Day Taste Test
Might I just say that this cheeky little Chilean grape has become my all time favourite. Now I haven't posted on here for a little while and that's because I've been drinking Estevez, Cabernet Sauvignon and I just can't get enough of it. it is absolutely delightful. Straight out of the bottle it's an absolute treat and there is no need to be hanging around waiting for this little beauty to breathe. It's as smooth as silk has a rather pleasant nose, good colour and fruity flavours I can't quite explain but I am definitely enjoying. on the bottom shelf at Aldi for the rockingly good price of £4.19. now does this pass the NDTT? Well yes it does and in spades. If you don't believe me just pop down to Aldi and try a bottle, after all, it won't break the bank.
If you want a merlot that actually tastes like a merlot then look no further than the Estevez Merlot. It's a little spicy as I always remember merlot's to have been. Sadly most of the merlot one buys today tastes as if it's been watered down but not this dashing little dream maker. I was so excited about this that I thought I'd be buying by the bucket load and I would encourage anyone with the required £4.19 to nip into your nearest Aldi and grab yourself a bottle. However, one little word of warning... this does not pass the NDTT. Don't get me wrong, it's not a, poor it away nightmare, it just doesn't retain that same zing it has when first opened. But don't let that put you off; if you are having guests over for dinner or a little soirée then I'm sure you could get it drunk in an evening.
Bottoms up but don't forget to drink responsibly
I have been shopping in the new Aldi in Congleton. It was soooo busy. As it was a Saturday, and well what else is the weekend for, I got down on the newly tiled floor to peruse the bottles along the bottom shelf. It didn’t take long for my gaze to fall on this bottle of Toro Loco, Hermanito and at a smooth £4.09 how could I resist.
Now I did something which I don’t normally do and unscrewed the stopper from the bottle and let it breath for at least half an hour. As I believe this should allow the wine attain its true complexity. So with dinner on the table which consisted of lamb steak, green beans and potatoes I poured a healthy glass and raised it to my nostrils for a sniff. I wouldn't say that it has the best bouquet although it has a great richness of colour and the taste… well I wasn’t overwhelmed but certainly not disappointed either. It does give you notes of cherry and it did fit well with the lamb but for me… well… I was not convinced.
So what about the NDTT…?
I only had about a third of the bottle on the Saturday night before I screwed the cap back on and went off to watch the telly. I didn’t even bother taking in a glass for company. So on the Sunday evening with a generous helping of chicken casserole I popped off the screw cap to reveal a wine which was not the same as I’d left in the bootle the night before. No…! This was absolutely delightful. Over night is had soothed its harshness and settled into a beautifully smooth and silky wine with a delicate nose and the notes of cherry had really come to life. What a beauty. I think I may just buy this again and leave it open for a few hours and then drink it the next day. Perfection.
Don’t forget to read the manufacturers label and drink responsibly.
Purchased 7 sept 2024
Well, there is no end to the wines you can buy from the bottom shelf and this one turned out to be exquisite.
On a quick scavenge around Aldi for those little essentials that one cannot do without I found this splendid surprise. Straight from the bottle it has a delightful nose and a reasonable colour. However, the full bodied taste comes with a little patience and is rewarded beautifully. Kooliburra Shiraz, retailing at £4.15, is light and tasty and fruity. I had it with leftover lasagna the first night I tried it and thought that the dish was a little too strong for the wine although not overpowering. As for the NDTT, well I was out with friends the next day so my Kooliburra had to wait in the bottle for forty eight hours and I have to say that I couldn’t taste the difference. This is a remarkable wine and a credit to it’s winery. Given twenty minutes to breath and it’s truly a drinkable delight that does not loose any of it’s taste, texture, nose or body if kept over for a couple of days.
Well that’s my opinion but don’t forget to read the manufactures label before you purchase.
Hi, I’ve been on my hands and knees again in the wine aisle in Tesco. I shall have to be careful that people don’t start to thinking that I’ve been sampling the bottles before buying. That would be a good idea though… maybe I’ll put it to Tesco just incase they’re interested. This week I found another cheep and cheerful plot to plunder. A Taparoo from south east Australia and an Aldi price match going for £4.15. At the price many a snobbish shopper would turn up their nose at such a bottle but they would be the ones who would be missing out. This is a delightful addition to the table. It’s not got the greatest of aroma but it has a good colour straight from spinning off the cap and taste… Well it’s smooth and round and fruity which just what you’d want from a bottle of Shiraz. Who would have thought that a bit of sourcy frolicking between a Dureza and a Mondeuse Blanche in a field in France would have produced such a delightful and entertaining glass of joy.
I had this to accompany some roast belly pork and salad and then again the next day with some reheated lasagna and it didn’t let me down. Does it pas the NDTT…? We hell yes… this is just as flavoursome and full bodied the next day as it was on the day it was opened. You can drink this with your evening meal, red meat especially, or just settle down in front of a soppy film with a glass of Taparoo, Shiraz in one hand and a bag of peanuts in the other. It’s paradise in a bottle but you won’t be able to eat your peanuts without putting your glass down. I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work.
Please read the manufactures label before purchasing.
I popped into Tesco on Saturday to pick up some milk and some mushrooms to go into my sausage casserole. However, while I was there I had a scan of the bottom shelf and came across this little beauty selling as an Aldi price match. It is what it says on the label, Fruity Red.
Now there is a bit of a disaster on the bottom shelf in my local Tesco store as the price label on the shelving system was under a bottle of Dark Horse, Cabernet Sauvignon which retails at £10.00 while this bottle of Fruity Red is priced at only £3.45. It’s a bit of a difference if you ask me and I had to get down on all fours and even then take a picture with my phone so I could enlarge the type to be able to read it. It’s quite unfair if people who can’t afford end up buying a bottle of Dark Horse for £10.00 thinking that it’s only £3.45.
I have to say that I wasn’t expecting much from this very low priced offering. When I cranked off the screw top and poured myself a glass it didn’t have a rich dark body. Its bouquet left an awful lot to be desired; in fact don’t stick it anywhere near your nose, it’s wasn’t nice. However, once this saucy little fun packed Spanish grape hits your lips your whole life changes. What it lacks in colour and aroma it certainly makes up for in taste. I so enjoyed this I think I’m in love. No correct that, I am in love. On special offer I could buy whole the vineyard. But whether I'd get it home or not is a different matter.
Now, did this Fruity Red pass the NDTT (Next Day Taste Test)…? I couldn’t tell you that as it was so moreish I drank the whole bottle in the one evening. Next time perhaps.
Well that’s my opinion, so go buy and enjoy but don't forget to read the label.
This lovely little Malbec is produced especially for Aldi under their brand name Grapevine. At £4.10 (June 2024) I think it's an absolute steal. It is advertised on the front of the bottle as being "Bold & Fruity" and I have to confess that it's not far from the point. However, in order to enjoy the fullness of its fruitiness you will need to let it stand for at least ten minutes. I tried it straight from cranking off the screw top from the bottle while cooking dinner (little thirst on) and it wasn't the most wonderful experience. No matter, by the time I had plated up and set myself down to table the magic had happened and "Bold & fruity" came out to play.
Now, I'm not one for pouring wine away so every good bottle has to last until the next day. This cheeky little red all the way from Chile in South America, did manage to pass the test but not with flying colours. It had developed a slight sharpness as it waited twenty four hours on the side but still very drinkable.
Certainly an entertaining little bottle if, unlike me, you can be patient for at least ten minutes.
